The Lenten Season | Monday 19 Feb 2024: Psalm 77; Job 4:1-21; Ephesians 2:1-10 ~ God’s kindness saved you.

The Lenten Season | Monday 19 Feb 2024

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son
was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan:
Come quickly to help us
who are assaulted by many temptations,
and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us,
let each one find you mighty to save;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“But God is rich in mercy
because of his great love for us.”
(Ephesians 2:4)

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From Psalms: Psalm 77:3,6 | Ezkera – | MIQEDEM

77:3 I sigh as I remember God.
I begin to lose hope as I think about him. Selah

77:6 I remember my song in the night
and reflect ⌞on it⌟.
My spirit searches ⌞for an answer⌟:

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OT Reading: Job 4:1-21 (GW)

Eliphaz Speaks: Be Patient and Listen, Job

4:1 Then Eliphaz from Teman replied ⌞to Job⌟,

“If someone tries to talk to you, will you become impatient?
But who can keep from talking?
Certainly, you have instructed many people:
When hands were weak, you made them strong.
When someone stumbled, you lifted him up with your words.
When knees were weak, you gave them strength.
But trouble comes to you, and you’re impatient.
It touches you, and you panic.
Doesn’t your fear of God give you confidence
and your lifetime of integrity give you hope?

Only Evil People Suffer

4:7 “Now think about this:
Which innocent person ⌞ever⌟ died ⌞an untimely death⌟?
Find me a decent person who has been destroyed.
Whenever I saw those who plowed wickedness and planted misery,
they gathered its harvest.
God destroys them with his breath
and kills them with a blast of his anger.
Though the roar of the lion
and the growl of the ferocious lion ⌞is loud⌟,
the young lions have had their teeth knocked out.
The old lions die without any prey ⌞to eat⌟,
and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

“I was told something secretly
and heard something whispered in my ear.
With disturbing thoughts from visions in the night,
when deep sleep falls on people,
fear and trembling came over me,
and all my bones shook.
A spirit passed in front of me.
It made my hair stand on end.
Something stood there.
I couldn’t tell what it was.
A vague image was in front of my eyes.
I heard a soft voice:
‘Can ⌞any⌟ mortal be righteous to God?
Can ⌞any⌟ human being be pure to his maker?’

“You see, God doesn’t trust his own servants,
and he accuses his angels of making mistakes.
How much more will he accuse those who live in clay houses
that have their foundation in the dust.
Those houses can be crushed quicker than a moth!
From morning to evening, they are shattered.
They will disappear forever without anyone paying attention.
Haven’t the ropes of their tent been loosened?
Won’t they die without wisdom?

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Your Kindness – Leslie Phillips (1987)

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NT Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 (GW)

God Saved Us because of His Great Love for Us

2:1 You were once dead because of your failures and sins. You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God. All of us once lived among these people, and followed the desires of our corrupt nature. We did what our corrupt desires and thoughts wanted us to do. So, because of our nature, we deserved God’s anger just like everyone else.

But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us. We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ. (It is God’s kindness that saved you.) God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him. He did this through Christ Jesus out of his generosity to us in order to show his extremely rich kindness in the world to come. God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It’s not the result of anything you’ve done, so no one can brag about it. God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.

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Grace Alone – Berean Bible Baptist Church Ecoland [Davao, Philippines]

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Bring home the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically, and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lenten Season | 1st Sunday 18 Feb 2024: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15 ~ Now is the time to change how you think and act.

The Lenten Season | 1st Sunday 18 Feb 2024

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

[Jesus] said, “The time has come,
and God’s kingdom is near.
Change the way you think and act,
and believe the Good News.”
(Mark 1:15)

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O God, Our Help in Ages Past (Grace Community Church)

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From the Old Testament: Genesis 9:8-17 (GW)

God’s Promise—the Sign of the Rainbow

9:8 God also said to Noah and his sons, “I am going to make my promise to you, your descendants, and every living being that is with you—birds, domestic animals, and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ship—every living thing on earth. I am making my promise to you. Never again will all life be killed by floodwaters. Never again will there be a flood that destroys the earth.”

God said, “This is the sign of the promise I am giving to you and every living being that is with you for generations to come. I will put my rainbow in the clouds to be a sign of my promise to the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth, a rainbow will appear in the clouds. Then I will remember my promise to you and every living animal. Never again will water become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember my everlasting promise to every living animal on earth.”

So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the promise I am making to all life on earth.”

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From the Psalms: Psalm 25 – Teach Me Your Ways, O Lord – Francesca LaRosa

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From the Epistles: 1 Peter 3:18-22 (GW)

3:18 This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit. In it he also went to proclaim his victory to the spirits kept in prison. They are like those who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah when God waited patiently while Noah built the ship. In this ship a few people—eight in all—were saved by water. Baptism, which is like that water, now saves you. Baptism doesn’t save by removing dirt from the body. Rather, baptism is a request to God for a clear conscience. It saves you through Jesus Christ, who came back from death to life. Now Christ has gone to heaven where he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the throne. Angels, rulers, and powers have been placed under his authority.

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You Are My King (Amazing Love) | NCCC WORSHIP

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Gospel Reading: Mark 1:9-15 (GW)

John Baptizes Jesus

1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. As Jesus came out of the water, he saw heaven split open and the Spirit coming down to him as a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you.”

Satan Tempts Jesus

1:12 At once the Spirit brought him into the desert, where he was tempted by Satan for 40 days. He was there with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.

Calling of the First Disciples

1:14 After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and told people the Good News of God. He said, “The time has come, and God’s kingdom is near. Change the way you think and act, and believe the Good News.”

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Song of Repentance | New Wine Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

+ Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in your great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to you, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lenten Season | Saturday 17 Feb 2024: Psalm 25:1-10; Psalm 32; Matthew 9:2-13 ~ Jesus has authority to forgive your sins.

The Lenten Season | Saturday 17 Feb 2024

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing you have made,
and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts,
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“I want you to know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth
to forgive sins.”
(Matthew 9:6)

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1st Psalm: Psalm 25:1-10 (Do Not Remember My Sins) | Be Still – Jason Silver Sings Scripture

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2nd Psalm: Psalm 32 – “Blessed” | Forever Be Sure

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NT Reading: Matthew 9:2-13 (GW)

9:2 Some people brought him a paralyzed man on a stretcher.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Cheer up, friend! Your sins are forgiven.”

Then some of the experts in Moses’ Teachings thought, “He’s dishonoring God.”

Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them, “Why are you thinking evil things? Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

So the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and praised God for giving such authority to humans.

Jesus Chooses Matthew to Be a Disciple

9:9 When Jesus was leaving that place, he saw a man sitting in a tax office. The man’s name was Matthew. Jesus said to him, “Follow me!” So Matthew got up and followed him.

Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

When Jesus heard that, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor; those who are sick do. Learn what this means: ‘I want mercy, not sacrifices.’ I’ve come to call sinners, not people who think they have God’s approval.”

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Come Ye Sinners – Fernando Ortega / asyouarelongview

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lenten Season | Friday 16 Feb 2024: Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:15-25a; 2 Timothy 4:1-5 ~ Be ready to spread the truth.

The Lenten Season | Friday 16 Feb 2024

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

“Be ready to spread the word
whether or not the time is right.
Point out errors, warn people,
and encourage them.”
(2 Timothy 4:2)

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From Psalms: Psalm 25:1-10 | Karel Suchy

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OT Reading: Daniel 9:15-25a (GW)

9:15 “Lord our God, you brought your people out of Egypt with your strong hand and made yourself famous even today. We have sinned and done evil things. Lord, since you are very righteous, turn your anger and fury away from your city, Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Jerusalem and your people are insulted by everyone around us because of our sins and the wicked things our ancestors did.

“Our God, listen to my prayer and request. For your own sake, Lord, look favorably on your holy place, which is lying in ruins. Open your ears and listen, my God. Open your eyes and look at our ruins and at the city called by your name. We are not requesting this from you because we are righteous, but because you are very compassionate. Listen to us, Lord. Forgive us, Lord. Pay attention, and act. Don’t delay! Do this for your sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

I continued to pray, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel. I humbly placed my request about my God’s holy mountain in front of the Lord my God. While I was praying, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the first vision, came to me about the time of the evening sacrifice. He was exhausted. He informed me, “Daniel, this time I have come to give you insight. As soon as you began to make your request, a reply was sent. I have come to give you the reply because you are highly respected. So study the message, and understand the vision.

“Seventy sets of seven time periods have been assigned for your people and your holy city. These time periods will serve to bring an end to rebellion, to stop sin, to forgive wrongs, to usher in everlasting righteousness, to put a seal on a prophet’s vision, and to anoint the Most Holy One. Learn, then, and understand that from the time the command is given to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the anointed prince comes, seven sets of seven time periods and sixty-two sets of seven time periods will pass. Jerusalem will be restored and rebuilt with a city square and a moat during the troubles of those times.

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Mercy – Amanda Cook | Brave New World

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NT Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (GW)

Continue to Do Your Work

4:1 I solemnly call on you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead. I do this because Christ Jesus will come to rule ⌞the world⌟. Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.

A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.

But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work.

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We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations – GCF Harvest

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your Church [especially in the Holy Land], that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all nations. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lenten Season | Thursday 15 Feb 2024: Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:1-14; 1 John 1:3-10 ~ In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

The Lenten Season | Thursday 15 Feb 2024

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

“God is faithful and reliable.
If we confess our sins,
he forgives them and cleanses us
from everything we’ve done wrong.”
(1 John 1:9)

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From Psalms: Psalm 25 (Show Me Your Ways) | The Psalms Project (Lyric Video)

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OT Reading: Daniel 9:1-14 (GW)

Daniel’s Prayer about Jerusalem Is Answered

9:1 Xerxes’ son Darius, who was a Mede by birth, was made ruler of the kingdom of Babylon. In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from the Scriptures the number of years that Jerusalem would remain in ruins. The Lord had told the prophet Jeremiah that Jerusalem would remain in ruins for 70 years. So I turned to the Lord God and looked to him for help. I prayed, pleaded, and fasted in sackcloth and ashes.

I prayed to the Lord my God. I confessed and said, “Lord, you are great and deserve respect as the only God. You keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments. We have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from your commandments and laws. We haven’t listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, leaders, ancestors, and all the common people. You, Lord, are righteous. But we—the men of Judah, the citizens of Jerusalem, and all the Israelites whom you scattered in countries near and far—are still ashamed because we have been unfaithful to you. We, our kings, leaders, and ancestors are ashamed because we have sinned against you, Lord.

“But you, Lord our God, are compassionate and forgiving, although we have rebelled against you. We never listened to you or lived by the teachings you gave us through your servants the prophets. All Israel has ignored your teachings and refused to listen to you. So you brought on us the curses you swore in an oath, the curses written in the Teachings of your servant Moses. We sinned against you. So you did what you said you would do to us and our rulers by bringing a great disaster on us. Nowhere in the world has anything ever happened like what has happened to Jerusalem. This entire disaster happened to us, exactly as it was written in Moses’ Teachings. Lord our God, we never tried to gain your favor by turning from our wrongs and dedicating ourselves to your truth. So you were prepared to bring this disaster on us. Lord our God, you are righteous in everything you do. But we never listened to you.

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The Lord Is Gracious and Compassionate | Vineyard Worship

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NT Reading: 1 John 1:3-10 (GW)

1:3 This is the life we have seen and heard. We are reporting about it to you also so that you, too, can have a relationship with us. Our relationship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that we can be completely filled with joy.

Through Jesus We Have a Relationship with God

1:5 This is the message we heard from Christ and are reporting to you: God is light, and there isn’t any darkness in him. If we say, “We have a relationship with God” and yet live in the dark, we’re lying. We aren’t being truthful.

But if we live in the light in the same way that God is in the light, we have a relationship with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from every sin. If we say, “We aren’t sinful” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong. If we say, “We have never sinned,” we turn God into a liar and his Word is not in us.